No matter which team wins the Stanley Cup, one thing is certain: the 37-pound, silver trophy will make its way to a First Nations community in Canada.
Two First Nations players, Zach Whitecloud and Brandon Montour, are facing off against each other during this year’s Stanley Cup finals. The series, which began Saturday in Las Vegas, saw Whitecloud score the game-winning goal for the Las Vegas Golden Knights against the Florida Panthers.
Whitecloud, who hails from Sioux Valley Dakota Nation in Manitoba, is a 26-year-old defenceman for the Golden Knights. Montour, from Six Nations of the Grand River near Hamilton, is a 29-year-old defenceman for the Panthers.
‘He represents Six Nations of the Grand River with pride’
“We are so proud of everything Brandon has accomplished,” Six Nations of the Grand River elected Chief Mark Hill said in a release. “He is a fantastic individual on and off the ice. He represents Six Nations of the Grand River with pride.”
In support of Montour, Six Nations is hosting viewing parties for every game of the Stanley Cup finals, and is tying red bows and placing jersey decals bearing Montour’s name around the community.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for our community to gather and support one of our own, as he pursues the most prestigious prize in all of hockey,” Hill said.
At the Michelle Farmer’s Studio of Dance & Modelling annual dance recital at Six Nations of the Grand River on Sunday, kids paid tribute to Montour by carrying jersey decals on stage along with a photo of him.
Sioux Valley Dakota Nation is similarly supporting Whitecloud, with a viewing party for the first game of the finals last Saturday. The words “inspiration for the future generations,” “role model,” “ambassador” and “warrior” fill the background of a poster advertising the event — with Whitecloud front and centre.
It won’t be the first time an Indigenous player wins the Stanley Cup — think Bryan Trottier, Grant Fuhr, George Armstrong — but it is the first time in recent playoffs that two Indigenous players face off against each other in the finals.
Whitecloud scores game-winning goal in Game 1
Vegas rallied from an early deficit during Game 1 on Saturday and got the go-ahead goal from Whitecloud with just over 13 minutes left in the third period. The team beat Florida 5-2 to take the lead in the best-of-seven series.
Game 2 of the best-of-seven Stanley Cup final was set for Monday night in Las Vegas before the series moves to Florida for Games 3 and 4.
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